<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks for a pass in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) catches a pass to score in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) holds the ball as he is surrounded by Michigan defense in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines tight end Marlin Klein (17) jumps for a pass as Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) rushes to defend in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns defensive back Kobe Black (6) collides with Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) goes down under the Michigan defense in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) celebrates a first down gain in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines defensive back Elijah Dotson (22) runs down the field as the ball is kicked off in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo (1) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Fans cast shadows on a \u201cCheez-it\u201d tunnel ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. The snack brand is the premiere sponsor of the bowl game.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas cheer team enter the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) hands his gloves to young fans as he warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
A fan films the team as they walk into the stadium ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas mascot Bevo on the sidelines ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Karle “Kj” Lacey Jr. (8) warms up ahead of the Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) celebrates a sack in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) runs the ball in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Kendrick Bell (10) catches a pass in the end zone to score as Texas Longhorns defensive back Kobe Black (6) defends in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) sends a pass in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Emmett Mosley V (3) gets around Michigan Wolverines linebacker Chase Taylor (29) in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines tight end Marlin Klein (17) jumps for a pass as Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) rushes to defend in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) defends as Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) runs the ball in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Ikechukwu Iwunnah (92) grabs the face mask of Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett (21) returns the ball as Michigan Wolverines tight end Zack Marshall (83) arrives to defend in the second quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Sure,\u00a0Texas football<\/a> didn\u2019t reach its postseason goal of a third consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff. But they played like plenty was at stake in a 41-27 win over Michigan in a Citrus Bowl<\/a> rife with tradition and some terrific storylines<\/a>.<\/p>\n Star quarterback Arch Manning, who<\/a> has already announced his intentions to return to Texas, accounted\u00a0for 221 yards passing and a career-high 155 yards rushing as well as\u00a0four total touchdowns to\u00a0power an offense that racked up 457 yards.\u00a0Sarkisian and his staff also played lots of youngsters<\/a> against the Wolverines (9-4) since his program has already lost 15 eligible players for 2026 to the NFL draft or the transfer portal. The young playuers\u00a0responded with multiple big plays, including two interceptions by sophomore linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Texas\u00a0victory gave fifth-year head coach Steve Sarkisian a third straight season with double-digit wins, a streak Texas hasn\u2019t had since winning at least 10 games under former coach Mack Brown every year from 2001-09.<\/p>\n Read below for a replay and highlights as the No. 13 Texas Longhorns beat No. 18 Michigan Wolverines Wednesday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.<\/p>\n PLAYER TRACKER: Who’s playing Citrus Bowl and who’s in the transfer portal?<\/a><\/p>\n Texas Longhorns running back Christian Clark (6) runs through an attempt from Michigan Wolverines defensive back Brandyn Hillman (6) in the first quarter of the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n An up-and-down season ends on a high note for the Longhorns and quarterback Arch Manning. Up next? A home game against Texas State Sept. 5 to kick off the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ty’Anthony Smith picks off Michigan QB Bryce Underwood on a second straight possession, and Texas adds to its lead with a 52-yard field goal by Mason Shipley.<\/p>\n Michigan blitzes, and Arch Manning sprints up the gut for a 60-yard touchdown run. I’m sure we’ll find out the mph at some point,\u00a0but he flashed the wheels on that play. Manning has 155 yards rushing, 217 yards passing and four total TDs. Echoes of Vince Young against Michigan in the Rose Bowl after the 2004 season. We all know what happed the following year.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Oh my, Ty’Anthony Smith. The Texas LB drops back deep in coverage and picks off Bryce Underwood,\u00a0the second INT of the day for the Michigan quarterback. Smith looked like former Texas LB Jaylan Ford –\u00a0an excellent pass defender – on that play. Texas has a chance for some breathing room.<\/p>\n Bloodied but unbowed, Arch Manning leads the Longhorns to a go-ahead touchdown. He gets his lip busted open while scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-2 near midfield then drops in a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kaliq Lockett. It’s the first career TD for the freshman receiver and the third TD of the game for Manning.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Gutsy drive by Michigan, which takes the lead after an 11-play, 45-yard touchdown march capped by a 5-yard run by QB Bryce Underwood.<\/p>\n Texas will have to apparently play the rest of this game\u00a0without receivers Emmett Mosley V and Ryan Wingo. Mosley is on crutches while Wingo looks unlikely to come back in. The good news? A young Texas defense has\u00a0come of age a bit in the second half. Michigan has 78 yards on three drives so far this half.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The physicality of this game has ratcheted up on this drive. Michigan is trying to flex some of that Big Ten muscle, and Texas is willing to play that game. Michigan kick returner Andrew Marsh, who has 112 yards on three returns, sets up the Wolverines in good field position, but Texas DB Wardell Mack ends the threat with his first career interception deep in Longhorn territory.<\/p>\n Freshmen receivers Kaliq Lockett and Jamie Ffrench have joined classmate Daylan McCutcheon on the field after Emmett Mosley Jr. and Ryan Wingo get dinged up. McCutcheon draws a PI in the end zone to give the Longhorns’ drive some breath, and Arch Manning sprints 23 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Poor Arch, he’s just not going to escape the offseason Heisman hype after this game.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Michigan takes the second-half kickoff and drives 41 yards in 12 plays before bogging down inside the Texas 10-yard line. Dominic Zvada boots a 31-yard field goal to give the Wolverines the lead. Arch Manning, your turn.<\/p>\n Michigan and QB Bryce Underwood drive downfield but Dominic Zvada misses a 45-yard field goal attempt. Good poise from\u00a0the Wolverines’ freshman signal caller, but they can’t take the lead. Both quarterbacks have impressed; Underwood has 112 yards and two TDs on 12-of-18 passing as well as 49 yards rushing while Arch Manning has 147 yards on 14-of-23 passing despite four unofficial drops, including one by Ryan Wingo that would have been a touchdown. Manning also has 37 of the Longhorns’ 86 yards rushing. RB Christian Clark has been a revelation for Texas; the redshirt freshman didn’t play much this season behind Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter but has 73 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Frankly, he has shown a burst and wiggle not seen in the Texas backfield this season.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas seemed on the verge of taking the lead, but mistakes sink a late drive. Ryan Wingo drops a touchdown pass after a big hit by a Michigan defender, and an ill-timed snap by Connor Robertson forces QB Arch Manning to cover the ball near midfield. Texas punts away.<\/p>\n Back-to-back punts. See, there’s some defense. But Arch Manning and Texas are in the Wolverines’ territory seeking a halftime lead.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Scoreboards will stay lit all game apparently. Texas TE Jack\u00a0Endries grabs his third TD catch of the season, this one a 17-yard strike from Arch Manning. Manning has dropped some dimes so far while throwing for 134 yards on 12-of-18 passing despite a couple of drops by Parker Livingstone and Daylan McCutcheon.<\/p>\n Michigan delivers a quick answer, and it looks like a shootout is breaking out in Camping World Stadium. Bryce Underwood connects with Andrew Marsh for a 4-yard touchdown pass, and Michigan’s true freshman QB has 67 yards and two TDs on 7-of-10 passing and another 49 yards on five carries.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Christian Clark bursts in from 3 yards out as Texas ties the game. A 19-yard run by\u00a0QB Arch Manning on fourth-and-1 at the 21-yard line keys the drive and came on a clever play; TE Jack Endries lines up for a tush push, center Connor Robertson does a great job with a snap between Endries’ legs to Manning, and Manning has a wide-open edge.<\/p>\n Texas is on the march behind Arch Manning, who just became the seventh Texas quarterback to top 3,000 yards passing in a single season. He joins Colt McCoy (2007-09), Sam\u00a0Ehlinger (2018-19), Quinn Ewers (2023-24), Major Applewhite (1999), Chris Simms (2002) and Vince Young (2005). The Longhorns may need lots of points today from Manning and the offense considering all the new starters on defense.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas kick returner Ryan Niblett gets blasted on a kick return and fumbles the ball, and Michigan takes advantage with a 19-yard touchdown\u00a0pass from Bryce Underwood to Kendrick Bell. Bell toe-taps to get into the end zone on the third-down pass, and replay overturns the initial incomplete call.<\/p>\n Linebacker Bo Barnes gets his first career sack for Texas, but the Wolverines still even the game on a 53-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada. Barnes, a freshman, is starting in place of All-American Anthony Hill\u00a0jr., who’s prepping for the draft.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas edge Colin Simmons gets his 12th sack of the season to snuff out the Wolverines’ first drive. Texas gets the ball back at its own 23-yard line. Simmons is now tied for ninth on the single-season sack list, with Steve “Mongo” McMichael, among others.<\/p>\n Mason Shipley caps a 9-play, 50-yard drive with a 43-yard field goal to give Texas the early lead. He’s now 19 of 23 on the year, a good season for the Texas State transfer. Christian Clark, who gets the start at running back with Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter in the portal rips off a 22-yard run to set up the score.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Let’s kick off the Citrus Bowl. Texas and quarterback Arch Manning will get the ball first.<\/p>\n Texas will be without a handful of starters against Michigan because of upcoming NFL draft preparation or entry into the transfer portal. Here are the Longhorn starters not playing in the Citrus Bowl and their listed replacements:\u00a0RB Quintrevion Wisner (portal, Christian Clark), WR DeAndre Moore Jr. (portal, Daylan McCutcheon), edge Ethan Burke (NFL, Lance Jackson), LB Trey Moore (NFL, Brad Spence), LB Anthony Hill Jr. (NFL, Bo Barnes), LB Liona Lefau (portal, Ty’Anthony Smith), CB Malik Muhammad (NFL, Kade Phillips) and S Michael Taaffe (NFL, Xavier Filsaime).<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The announcement of the Longhorns’ team captains for the Citrus Bowl could foreshadow some\u00a0good news for the Longhorns. Left tackle Trevor Goosby joins edge rusher Colin Simmons, safety\u00a0Jelani McDonald and quarterback Arch Manning as the team captains. Simmons, Manning and McDonald will all return next season as program cornerstones, but Goosby – a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, if he declares – has been mum about his plans for 2026.\u00a0Goosby said he won’t make a decision about turning pro until after the Citrus Bowl, but his selection as a captain could hint at his return.<\/p>\n When:\u00a02:06 p.m. Wednesday<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Where: Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.<\/p>\n TV\/radio:\u00a0ABC, 1300, 98.1, 105.3 (Spanish)<\/p>\n Moneyline:\u00a0Michigan +250, Texas -310<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Spread: Texas is favored by 7 \u00bd points.<\/p>\n Cool and partly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s and the slightest chance of rain.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n at Ohio State:\u00a0L, 14-7<\/a><\/p>\n San Jos\u00e9 State:\u00a0W, 38-7<\/a><\/p>\n UTEP:\u00a0W, 27-10<\/a><\/p>\n Sam Houston:\u00a0W, 55-10<\/a><\/p>\n at Florida, Oct. 4:\u00a0L, 29-21<\/a><\/p>\n Oklahoma, Oct. 11:\u00a0W, 23-6<\/a><\/p>\n at Kentucky, Oct. 18:\u00a0W, 16-13 OT<\/a><\/p>\n at Mississippi State, Oct. 25:\u00a0W, 45-38 OT<\/a><\/p>\n Vanderbilt, Nov. 1:\u00a0W, 34-31<\/a><\/p>\n at Georgia, Nov. 15:\u00a0L, 35-10<\/a><\/p>\n Arkansas, Nov. 22: W, 52-37<\/a><\/p>\n Texas A&M, Nov. 28: W, 27-17<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0Follow the American-Statesman on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access\u00a0all of our best content<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0this tremendous offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n